Article case



Feb. 18, 1958 P. wAsYLUKA 2,823,845

ARTICLE CASE:

Filed Dec. l. 1951 3 Sheets-Sheet l Feb. 18, 1958 P. WASYLUKA 2,823,845

ARTICLE CASE @mgm/fw Feb. 18, 1958 P. wAsYLUKA ARTICLE CASE Filed Dec. l '-1951 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 AVU z /f Ll /a/ i ./zl. i @m my@ United States Patent O ARTICLE CASE Paul Wasylulra, St. Louis, Mo., assignor, by mesne assignments, to Crown Zellerbach Corporation, San Francisco, Calif., a corporation of Nevada Application December 1, 1951, Serial No; 259,379

Claims. (Cl. 229-15) This invention appertains to a novel open carrying case having a body portion, a dividing reinforcing partition and a bottom member with body reinforcing portions thereon. The invention is particularly adapted for multiple trip use in transporting a relatively large number of articles from the retail market to the home of the user, for example, 24 bottles of beverage or the like. Solid breboard, corrugated breboard or any other suitable material may be used in the construction of this invention.

Virtually all multi-trip open trays and cases for carrying a relatively large number of fragile articles such as 24 standard beverage bottles and the like, have heretofore been constructed solely of wood and metal. In addition to being relatively hard and inflexible, such trays have the further disadvantage of being expensive and relatively heavy in weight. Another disadvantage is found in the hazard of splinters and protruding nails and irregular reinforcing portions often found in trays of this type. It is ltherefore an object of this invention to provide an inexpensive, light weight, open bottle carrying case which will resiliently but firmly contain the articles therein without presenting hazards to person or property.

it is contemplated that the case employing this invention will be constructed of relatively heavy duty stiff, resilient breboard or material of similar characteristics. lt is therefore an object to provide a carrying case which will readily admit of rapid, easy, manual set-up and fabrication without requiring the use of expensive dies and jigs or special machinery which is usually required in the fabrication of articles using materials of this description. Furthermore, it is an object that the components inter-act to hold and retain the parts ofthe case in proper sequence and orientation during fabrication without outside support.

The multi-piece construction makes it possible to provide acase having a high degree of adaptability for different uses. For example, an extremely heavy bottom panel may be used with relatively light body portions. Thus the useful life of the carrier may be prolonged without unduly increasing the overall cost. Similarly, colors may be varied by-using different colored materials for the various components. Thus dark colors can be used for the bottoms which are subject to dirt` while lighter, more brilliant colors may be used in the body of the container for advertisinfy or other purposes.

It is a further object of this invention to provide a substantially rigid carrying case which will firmly contain, support and contact the vertical faces of the articles carried so as to prevent excessive movement and displacement thereof, without the need for individual cellular compartments.

Another object is to provide a carrying case which requires a minimum amount of material and is light in weight yet sturdy enough for heavy duty multiple trip use.

A further object of this invention is to provide a heavy duty carrying case constructed to permit ready replacement of the reinforcing bottom panel Without injury to the adjacent component parts of the case.

Another object of this invention is to provide a heavy duty carrying case having smooth, unobstructed flush exterior faces thereby providing a maximum area for advertising and other printed matter and yet display the contents.

A further object of this invention is to provide a reinforcing partition having scores therein which engage the slot forming edges of the body wall flaps throughout their length and maintain the parts in proper assembled relation.

A still further object is to provide a carrying case having an unobstructed upwardly opening body portion adapted to receive articles drop loaded by high speed automatic loading equipment.

Another object of this invention is to provide a bottle carrying case having two-ply upstanding handle and rein forcing partition member foldably connected at its upper edge, the foldablc connection being flush with the outer face of each ply to provide operating clearance for automatic drop loading machinery.

Another object is to provide in a novel bottle carrying case a carrying handle positioned below the level of the tops of the bottles to provide an operating clearance for high speed automatic drop loading machinery wherein the carrying case walls are of resilient construction to permit the necks of the bottles to readily spread and separate to provide clearance to accommodate the hand of the person lifting the case, and return to their original position upon the removal of the hand.

Another object of this invention is to provide a central reinforcing partition which may be easily rigidly secured in the completed carrying case without the use of glue, staples or other securing means.

@ther objects and advantages will be apparent upon a full and complete understanding of this invention.

This invention is embodied in a novel carrying case comprising a body section and a reinforcing partition section, each body section wall having a ap foldably connected to the upper margin thereof, an opposing pair of the body section lwall flaps being centrally slotted to snugly receive the ends of the partition section, the ends of the partition section being adapted to snugly retain and position the slotted, opposing inner aps in spaced relation to the body walls from which they depend, the bottom section having a foldably connected upwardly disposed flap on each edge thereof, each of said flaps being adapted to be secured in reinforcing relation between the body section -walls and the inwardly disposed body Awall flaps, the `reinforcing partition section having foldably connected marginal portions secured between the `slotted body wall flaps and the adjacent body section wall.

The invention also consists in the parts and in the arrangements and combinations of parts hereinafter described and claimed. In the accompanying drawings which form a part of this specification and wherein like numerals and symbol-s refer to like parts wherever they occur:

Fig. l is a perspective view of an assembled carrying case embodying my invention,

Fig. 2 is an enlarged fragmentary top plan view of a portion of the case shown in Fig. l,

Fig. 3 is a plan view of the blank from which the body section is made,

Fig. 4 is a plan View of the blank from which the bottom section of Fig. l is frnade,

Fig. 5 is a plan view of the blank from which the partition section of Fig. 1 is made,

Fig. 6 is a vertical cross `sectional view taken along the line 6-6 of Fig, l,

Fig. 7 is a vertical cross sectional view taken along the line 7-7 of Fig. l,

Fig. 8 is an enlarged fragmentary horizontal cross sectional view taken along the line 8-8 of Fig. 1,

Fig. 9 is an exploded view in perspective showing all parts of the carrying case shown in Fig. l with a partition section modified to the same height as the body walls and the handhole eliminated,

Fig. l is a plan view of a blank for a combination partition section and bottom section for a modified form of carrying case embodying my invention,

Fig. l1 is a perspective view of a carrying case employing the combination partition section and bottom section shown in Fig. l0,

Fig. 12 is a vertical cross sectional view taken along the line 12-12 of Fig. 11, and

Fig. 13 is a plan view of a blank of another combination partition section and bottom section.

Referring now to the drawings in detail, particularly Figs. l-9 thereof, it will be seen that the embodiment p of the invention which has been illustrated and which is preferred comprises a body section A, a partition section B and a bottom member C.

The body section A is provided with a pair of opposing end walls 10 and a pair of opposing side walls 11. The side walls 11 are provided with side `wall iiaps 12 defined by side wall scores 13. The end walls 10 are provided with end wall flaps 14 connected to the upper edge thereof, said end wall aps 14 being defined by end wall Scores 15. The end wall aps 14 are provided with central slots 16. The slots 16 may be beveled as shown lat 17 to facilitate easy assembly. A handhole 18 is provided in each of the end walls 10. A registering handhole 19 is provided in each end wal-l flap 14. The handhole 19 is positioned to register with the handhole 18 when the end 'wa-ll aps 14 are folded about the end wall scores to a position parallel with the inner face of the end wall 16. The handhole 18 and the registering handhole 19 are optional features of convenience and may be omitted if desired. A stitch flap 20 is foldably connected to the end of the side wall 11, however, the stitch flap 20 may be connected to the free end portion of any suitable body wall. Also, if desired, the stitch ap 20 may be omitted and the body wal-ls secured together by adhesive or other suitable means.

The partition and reinforcing section B is provided with a pair of partition panels 21 which are foldably connected to each other along a panel score 22. The panel score 22 is preferably very narrow and made on the rev-erse side of the handle panels. This is desirable because when the partition panels 21 are folded in backto-back relation, `the fold will be absolutely iiush with the exposed faces of the partition panels 21. This is important if the cases are to be used with automatic bottle dropping machinery, since maximum clearances must be provided in the center of the case or the bottle loading mechanism will quickly damage the container. The end edges of each of the partition panels 21 are provided with end scores 23 which in turn, define the inner edges of foldably connected partition flaps 24. In the embodiment shown, the partition flaps 24 and the yend portion of the partition panels 21 are cut, as at 2S, to -provide hand-hole clearance. The `lower corners of the partition flaps 24 `are mitered or beveled as shown at 26 for additional strength and to facilitate assembly. The panels 21 are provided with small cut-outs 26.

The bottom member C is provided With a bottom panel 27 and side connecting and reinforcing flaps 28 foldably connected to the panel 27 along the side scores 29. End scores 3l) define the inner margin of a pair of divided end connecting and reinforcing aps 31. The iiaps 31 are preferably provided with a V-shaped partition receiving notch 32, which in assembled relation, cooperates with the mitered corners 26 of the partition iiaps 24.

' The tray embodying the preferred form of the invention may be fabricated and assembled in any suitable manner. One preferred method of assembly is to form 4 the body section A into substantially rectangular shape and secure the stitch iiap 20 to the inner face of the adjacent end wall 10. The side wall flaps 12 are folded inwardly about the side wall scores 13 into spaced parallel relation with the inner faces of the side walls 11. The end wall flaps 14 are folded inwardly about the end wall scores 15 into spaced parallel yrelation with the inner faces of the end walls 10.

The partition section B is erected by folding the partition panels 21 about the panel score 22 into substantially flatwise back-to-back relation. The partition flanges 24 are bent about the respective end scores 23 so that each partition iiange is in substantially right angular relation with the main panel 21 to which it is connected as shown in Fig. 9.

The partition section B is inserted into the erected body section A by holding the partition section in an upright position and sliding said partition section vertically upwardly through the flap slots 16 of the end wall aps 14. The partition flaps 24 are thereby simultaneously positioned between the end wall aps 14 and the end walls 10.

As the partition section B is moved upwardly, the edges of the end wall flaps 14 forming the ap slots 16 act to snugly engage the partition section B at the scores 23 as shown in Figs. 2 and 8. This action tends to snugly position the partition section B within the fabricated body section A. In this assembled position the end wall aps 14 engage the scores 23 and the interposed partition aps 24 maintain the end wall flaps 14 in spaced parallel relation with the end walls 10. The beveled portions 17 act to guide the partition section into the ap slots 16.

The side connecting and reinforcing flaps 28 of the bottom member C are folded upwardly about the side scores 29 into substantially right angular relation with Vthe bottom panel 27. In a similar manner, the divided end connecting and reinforcing iiaps 31 are folded upwardly about the end scores 30 into substantially right angular relation with the bottom panel 27.

The erected bottom panel C is inserted into the previously assembled body section A and the partition section B by placing the side connecting and reinforcing flaps 28 between the side wall flaps 12 and the side walls 11, and placing the divided end connecting and reinforcing flaps 31 between the end wall flaps 14 and the end walls 10. With the assembled container in this position, stitches or other fastening means are secured through the lower margin of the end walls 10 and the side walls 11, thereby securing the upturned spacer and reinforcing flaps 28 and 31 between the body walls 11 and 10, and the body wall aps 12 and 14 respectively.

The carrying tray is now in condition for use.

The upper edge of the partition member B of the preferred embodiment of the invention may be flush with the top of the body walls 10 and 11, as shown in Fig. 9, or may be extended upwardly and provided with registering handholes 33 as shown in Figs. l and 5 to provide a centrally located carrying portion for transporting the container.

A modified form of container embodying this invention employs a one piece bottom and reinforcing partition as shown in Figs. 10-13. Referring now to Fig. 10, this novel combination partition member and bottom member has partition panels 21 with a score 22 therebetween. The panels 21 are provided with partition flaps 24 which are defined by the scores 23. The partition iiaps 24 are beveled, as at 26. The panels 21 are provided with bottom panels 27a defined by scores 34, said bottom panels 27a having side connecting and reinforcing aps 28 defined by scores 29 and end connecting and reinforcing flaps 31 dened by scores 30.

To assemble this combination partition section and bottom` section, the partition panels 21 are folded about the panel score 22 into back-to-back relation. The half bottom panels 27a are folded outwardly about the partition bottom scores 34 into right angular relation to the partition panels 21. The side connecting and reinforcing aps 23 are folded upwardly about the side scores 29 and the ldivided end connecting and reinforcing tlaps 31 are similarly folded upwardly about the end scores 30. The partition tlaps 24 are bent about the end scores 23. The beveled edges 26 of the partition tiaps 24 cooperate with the beveled edge of the end flap 31 to form a mitered corner. The modied combination partition member and bottom member is now ready to be inserted into the body section and attached thereto in the same manner as hereinbefore described.

Referring now to F ig. 13, a combination partition member and bottom member is shown with a partition panel 21 having an upper portion with registering handholes 33 therein. Some of the partition tiaps 24 have been eliminated and the end connecting and reinforcing flaps 31a have square corners which occupy the space which would have been occupied by the eliminated partition flaps.

As best shown in Figure 12, the connecting and reinforcing aps 28 and 31 not only provide the means for attaching the bottom panel 27a to the body section, but act as reinforcing spacers for the body wall flaps 12 and 14. By interposing the connecting and reinforcing flaps 28 and 31 between the wall flaps 12 and 14 Fig. 9 and the body walls and 11, the body wall flaps are oriented in substantially vertical relation parallel to the adjacent body walls. The article carried is thereby contacted by the walls of the case throughout a considerable portion of its vertical height. This obviates undue vibration and movement of the contents. Such a construction also provides resilient shock absorbing inner Walls. By positioning the body wall flaps in parallel relation to the body walls rather than in ilatwise relation, the body of the case acts to absorb any shock rather than transmit it to the contents. Furthermore, the connecting and reinforcing flaps 2S and 31 together with the mitered or beveled lower portion 17 of the partition flaps 24, form an unbroken, reinforcing and stiifening inner rim to further protect the contents carried and promote the length of the life of the case.

This invention is intended to cover all changes and modifications of the examples of the invention herein chosen for purposes of the disclosure which do not con stitute departures from the spirit and scope of the invention.

What I claim is:

1. A carrying tray having a pair of opposing side walls and a pair of opposing end Walls, and a separate reinforcing partition member with an integral bottom section, each of said end Walls having an upper marginal flap foldably connected to the upper edge thereof, each of said flaps being positioned in spaced parallel relation to the inner face of said end wall, each of said upper marginal end wall flaps having a central vertical slot therein, said partition member having a pair of main panels foldably connected along their upper edge in back to-back relation, the said foldable connection being flush with the outer faces of the main panels, each of said main partition panels being provided at their vertical end edges with vertical scores dening the inner marginal of foldably connected end flaps, said vertical scores providing grooved recesses for receiving and firmly gripping the edges of said end wall aps which deiine said vertical slots therein to maintain said partition main panels in npright rigid relation, said partition flaps being positioned between the said upper marginal end wall flaps and said end walls, each of said main partition panels being provided at its lower edge with a substantially right angular disposed foldably connected half-bottom panel member, each of said half bottom panel members being provided with relatively narrow upturned end iiaps on the free end margins thereof, said bottom panel end iiaps being positioned and secured in lixed relation between said end walls and said end wall aps.

2. A carrying tray having a pair of opposing side walls and a pair of opposing end walls, and a separate reinforcing partition member with an integral bottom section, each of said end walls having an upper marginal flap foldably connected to the upper edge thereof, each of said flaps being positioned in spaced parallel relation to the inner face of said end wall, each of said upper marginal end wall flaps having a central vertical slot therein, said partition member having a pair of main panels foldably con nected along their upper edge in back-to-back relation, the said foldaole connection being ilush with the outer faces of the main panels, the upper folded edge of the partition extending at least to substantially the height of the walls, each of said main partition panels being provided at their vertical end edges with vertical` scores defining the inner margin of foldably connected end aps, said vertical scores providing grooved recesses for receiving and rrnly gripping the edges of said end Wall flaps which define said vertical slots therein to maintain said partition main panels in upright rigid relation, said partition flaps being positioned between the said upper marginal end wall flaps and said end walls, each of said main partition panels being provided at its lower edge with a substantially right angularly disposed foldably connected half-bottom panel member, each of said half bottom panel members being provided with relatively narrow upturned end aps on the free end margins thereof, and said bottom panel end flaps being positioned and secured in fixed relation between said end walls and said end wall flaps.

3. A carrying tray having a pair of opposing side walls and a pair of opposing end walls with handholes having upper and lower,` edges therein and a separate longitudinal reinforcing partition member and a bottom structure, each of said end walls having an upper marginal iap foldably connected to tbe upper edge thereof, each of said end wall flaps being positioned in spaced parallel relation to the inner face of said end wall with its free end edge in abutting relation with the bottom and having a handhole aligned with the end wall handhole, each of said upper marginal end wall flaps having a central vertical slot therein through which the end portions of the partition extend, said partition member having a pair of main panels foldably connected along their upper edge in back-tobaclt relation, each of said main partition panels being provided at their upper vertical end edges with vertical scores deiining the inner margin of opposite'ly right angularly folded end aps, said partition end aps being positioned between said upper margin of the end wall iiaps and said end walls above the handholes therein, the end margins of the partition main panels having clearance cut-outs below the partition end flaps, the cut-outs being opposite the handholes, said bottom having at least one separate elongated vertically aligned upturned end flap on the free end margins thereof, the bottoni end flaps being substantially coplanar with the partition end flaps, the bottom iaps being positioned between each said end wall :and its associated flap below the handholes therein, and means for securing the end wall flaps into substantially parallel relationship with the end wall with the partition flaps and the bottom member flaps therebetween and in their coplanar relationship.

4. A bottle carrying case including a side wall structure comprising side and end walls connected in tubular relation, lining flaps on said side and end walls and foldably connected to the upper edges thereof, said lining flaps being folded into substantial surface contact with the side and end walls to which they are attached, said end walls having hand holes therein, the lining flaps on said end walls having registrable hand holes therein registering with the hand holes of said end walls, a bottom structure including a pair of partition walls folda'oly connected along their upper edges, registering hand holes in said partition walls, a flap connected to each end of each said partition wall folded to lie inwardly of a corresponding end wall above the hand hole therein, said last named flaps being substantially below the level ofthe upper edges of said partition walls said last named aps being sandwiched between said end walls and said lining aps secured thereto, said bottom structure including bottom panels secured to the lower edges of said partition panels and extending outwardly therefrom in a common plane, end flaps on the ends of said bottom panels and secured between said end walls and the lining flaps secured thereto below the level of the hand holes in said end walls, and side aps on said bottom panels secured between said side walls and the lining panels secured thereto.

5. The structure described in the preceding claim and in which said parition panels taper upwardly and inwardly from said end walls toward the center of said partition panels.

References Cited in the lile of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Casey Dec. 4, 1923 Casey Dec. 1l, 1923 Maier Apr. 9, 1929 Clafl Aug. 17, 1937 Mohler Oct. 11, 1938 Reaume Mar. 5, 1940 Hill July 16, 1946 Cann Aug. 5, 1947 George Jan. 5, 1954 FOREIGN PATENTS Great Britain Nov. 6, 1924 Great Britain Jan. 30, 1936 Great Britain June 17, 1940 Great Britain Dec. 27, 1944 France Apr. 20, 1936 

